This Friday we’re celebrating Halloween with an afternoon of imaginative play, gentle spooks and plenty of smiles. Our Halloween Fancy Dress Party is designed for nursery-aged children, with activities led by our team so every child can join in confidently at their own pace. If you’re new to how we plan learning, you can see how our days follow the Early Years Foundation Stage.
From 2pm we’ll gather for a warm welcome before the much-loved costume parade. Children can walk (or wiggle!) past their friends to show off their outfits and practise speaking about who they’re dressed as. It’s a lovely confidence-builder and a gentle way to develop communication and language through real conversation.
Craft tables will be set with pumpkin decorating and autumn crafts, using mess-friendly materials and simple steps so little hands can snip, stick and draw safely. These activities build fine-motor skills while encouraging creativity and early problem-solving. When the weather is kind, we like to stretch our legs outdoors for movement games — a breath of fresh air does wonders. If you’d like to see why outdoor time is such a big part of life at Rowans, have a look at Nursery Outdoor Activities.
How the Halloween Fancy Dress Party supports EYFS learning
Throughout the afternoon we’ll run Halloween-themed games and treasure hunts that focus on turn-taking, teamwork and cheering each other on. Later, we’ll settle in for spooky-but-gentle storytelling chosen for this age group, where children can join in with actions and repeated phrases to build listening and language skills. For book ideas you can enjoy at home, try these gentle Halloween reads from BookTrust, and an early-years storytelling resource from the National Literacy Trust.
All the way through, we’re weaving in EYFS learning — from personal, social and emotional development to expressive arts and design — in the playful, practical way our team does every day. For a feel of everyday routines beyond special events, take a peek at A Day at Rowans Day Nursery in Sutton Coldfield.
We’ll offer a small selection of Halloween treats and refreshments. If your child has an allergy or dietary requirement, please let us know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly. The quickest way to reach the team is via our Contact page.
Halloween Fancy Dress Party costume guidance (comfort & safety)
A quick note on costumes: comfort comes first. Please avoid full-face masks as they can be unsettling or limit movement and visibility; face paint and soft, flexible accessories are perfect. Layers underneath a costume are helpful if we head outside. If you’re creating something at home, simple ideas work brilliantly — and making a costume together is a lovely chance to chat, plan and play. You can also look back at last year’s ideas here: Spooky Halloween Fun for Children at Rowans Day Nursery.
The afternoon is inclusive by design. Children can join activities in the way that suits them best, with quieter spaces available and staff ready to adapt resources. If your child benefits from particular strategies or sensory adjustments, just let us know so we can prepare.
Because our children are at different stages, activities are tailored by age across our rooms, with familiar staff leading in each space so children feel secure. Learn more about the setting in our Baby Unit, Nursery Unit and Pre-School Unit.
Thinking about a place at Rowans? Our team can guide you through free and funded hours, including current support available to families. Start with our Childcare Funding information.
Key details
Date: Friday, 31 October • Time: 2pm–4pm • Where: Rowans Day Nursery
Questions? Call 0121 354 1752 or get in touch via Contact.
After the event we hope to share some highlights on our News & Events page — keep an eye out for the photo round-up and ideas to continue the learning at home.
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